Commercial leases form part of many business transactions and commercial property is
a popular investment choice. Whether you are a tenant or landlord, there is much to
consider when entering into a commercial lease.
Some commercial leases are classified as ‘retail’ and fall under specific legislation – in
New South Wales, the Retail Leases Act 1994. These leases require additional
consideration such as issuing disclosure statements, setting minimum terms and notice
periods.
Most lease disputes arise because the parties are unaware of their rights and
responsibilities, or the terms of the lease are ambiguous.
A lease should always be in writing and we recommend involving your lawyer in the
preparation and review of any documents before committing to a lease.
This article explores some common terms of a commercial lease and flags important
issues so that potential traps might be avoided.
Defining the area to be leased
To avoid any doubt about what area is being leased, the premises must be accurately
described. This means including details such as shop or unit numbers, building names,
street addresses and a full legal description of the property.
Where the leased premises forms part of a larger space, a floor plan should be attached
to the lease with relevant areas highlighted and noting the measurements of the lettable
area.
The lease should also include terms regarding agreed use of car spaces, storage
facilities and common areas or amenities to be shared with other tenants.
The term of the lease
The term of the lease and renewal options must be carefully considered. From a tenant’s
perspective lease terms should match business plans. For example, if the premises will
be used to run a franchise business, the franchise agreement and renewal options
should coincide with the lease. Tenants should also consider trying to coordinate their
service provider contracts (i.e. telephone and internet) with the lease terms.
Leases containing an option to renew will set out a time period within which a tenant can
exercise (give notice) of the option. Option periods are construed strictly by the courts
and should be diarised to avoid missing out on renewing the lease.
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Landlords should review lease terms in light of their investment strategy, loan
commitments and any plans to sell the property in the future. If a proposed sale is
imminent then consideration can be given to whether the property is more marketable
with a long-term lease or one that will expire before or soon after the property is
transferred. Renewal and expiry dates should be diarised to plan for marketing the
property to prospective new tenants to avoid lengthy vacancy periods.
Permitted use of premises
The lease should clearly state the permitted use of the premises. Despite what is noted
in the lease however, it is a tenant’s responsibility to ensure the proposed use of the
premises complies with any Council or other requirements and any necessary licences
are obtained.
A lease containing broad usage terms makes it easier for the tenant to assign the lease,
if necessary. Landlords may however wish to restrict the permitted use to avoid the
premises falling within the retail definition or to have control over the general mix of
outlets within a larger complex.
Outgoings
The responsibility for payment of outgoings is a common trap – the parties should be very
clear about who must pay for what and in what proportions. Disputes are usually
resolved by interpreting the terms of the lease so careful drafting now will reduce costly
misunderstandings down the track.
Tenants are usually responsible for utility services, ongoing repairs and maintenance,
rates and taxes, cleaning, gardening and security. A tenant may be responsible for all or
a portion of these services and an estimate of outgoings should always be obtained prior
to committing to the lease.
Rent and rent reviews
The obligation to pay rent is an essential term of the lease. A tenant’s financial plan
should include rent for the entire term and any increases pursuant to a rent review. The
frequency of and method for reviewing rent should be stated clearly. Rent review
methods are usually by increases in the Consumer Price Index, market review or a set
percentage on each anniversary of the lease.
Most landlords request rent in advance, a security bond, a bank guarantee or
combination of these to ensure compliance with the tenant’s obligations under the lease.
The Retail Leases Act requires security bonds to be lodged with the NSW Retail Bond
Scheme. Where the Act does not apply, it is desirable that any security money is held in
trust.
Fitout and refurbishment
Lease negotiations often involve the fitting out of the premises for the proposed use by
the tenant. Any agreement reached should be documented and include:
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- The fixtures and fittings to be installed including reference to the agreed quality
and standards; - Who is responsible to carry out the work and pay for it – landlords should site and
approve fitout plans; - Whether a rent-free period is allowed whilst work is being carried out;
- The obligation for refurbishment or to restore the leased premises to its original
condition at the end of the lease; - Whether the fixtures may be removed by the tenant after the lease expires.
Balancing the rights of the landlord and tenant
In exchange for paying rent and carrying out the obligations under the lease, a tenant is
entitled to uninterrupted possession of the premises and should be free to conduct its
business in accordance with the permitted use.
The tenant must keep the premises in good repair however this does not extend to
carrying out structural repairs.
Distinguishing between repairs and maintenance and structural repairs has been the
cause of many lease disputes. Ideally, the interests of both parties should be balanced
with any agreement to contribute towards capital works, fixtures and fittings set out in the
lease.
Assignment clauses allowing the tenant to assign the lease with the landlord’s consent
are desirable for the tenant, particularly if the landlord is starting a new business where
prospects of success are unknown. From the landlord’s perspective such clauses should
ensure there is little disruption to rental income and allow for reasonable assignment
costs.
The process for obtaining consent and assigning the lease should be understood by all
parties.
Checking the facts, registration and consents
Tenants and landlords need to know who they are dealing with. Your lawyer will review
title searches, plans and company searches to confirm that the parties and premises in
the lease are accurate. A title search will show other interests in the property such as a
mortgage or expired lease. If the property is mortgaged the bank’s consent will be
required and expired leases may be removed upon registration of the new lease.
Conclusion
Leases should be in writing and include all terms that have been agreed between the
parties. Investing time and effort to have your lease reviewed before allowing or taking
possession of the premises may avoid potential disputes, inconvenience and future loss.
If you need expert advice regarding a commercial lease, please contact us on 02 9191
9293 or email mail@rnlegal.or